I'm a Janome girl and love my 15 year old Memory Craft 9000. Among the reasons I chose it over others was that it is VERY quiet. I sew in the living room and hubby, who helped me choose and paid for it with money he inherited when his mom died, really preferred it so we can watch TV as I sew. I got the embroidery model and really don't use it all that much. Recently, at a guild workshop, I found myself listening to the various machines people had while we all sewed, and sure enough, the one that had a low, not unpleasant tone was another Janome. Their machines are solid, reliable, quiet, and have that easy to handle drop-in bobbin. Mine has a clear cover so you can see how the bobbin is doing, and it also has a low bobbin sensor. It also was half price because they were discontinuing the model, so we got a really good deal. Do consider whether there is a good dealer who services your brand close enough to get to. Lots to consider.